By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The San Antonio Spurs’ championship aspirations now rest on the recovery of Victor Wembanyama, who was diagnosed with a concussion following a frightening second-quarter fall in Game 2 of a best-of-seven series opposite the Portland Trail Blazers in the opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google.
While team officials and head coach Mitch Johnson have confirmed that the recently crowned 2025-26 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year escaped additional structural damage, the diagnosis alone casts a long shadow over the immediate postseason future. NBA injury protocols for concussions are notoriously stringent, with league data suggesting an average recovery window of seven to ten days. Such a timeline would likely sideline Wembanyama for both Games 3 and 4, a devastating blow for a team that collapsed in his absence on Tuesday.
Despite the daunting statistics, the 22-year-old French center reported to the team facility on Wednesday with the intent to travel to Portland for Friday’s Game 3, as reported by ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania. However, his status remains officially day-to-day as he must clear a series of neurological benchmarks before returning to the court.
Up to the second latest on Spurs star Victor Wembanyama’s concussion diagnosis for NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/TapvNIW3Um
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 22, 2026
Amidst the injury uncertainty, the organization found a reason to celebrate as Keldon Johnson was officially named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year, securing the John Havlicek Trophy after becoming the only player this season to appear in all 82 games without a single start, providing a historic spark off the bench. His 1,081 bench points set a new franchise record, surpassing the legendary Manu Ginobili to become just the second player in Spurs history to win the award.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 0-1 (101-112)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 2-0 (126-113, 115-105)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 1-1 (113-102, 106-107)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 1-1 (123-91, 97-111)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 1-0 (119-84)
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 2-0 (107-98, 101-94)
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 1-1 (126-115, 114-119)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 1-1 (111-98, 103-106)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions